Coming soon: Northbank Riverwalk Square’s Artists’ Market
10/28/2008 by Mary-Kate Roan Staff Writer The Riverside Artists’ Market (RAM) that will be held underneath the Fuller Warren Bridge as part of the Northbank Riverside Walk has a tentative opening date: March 14, 2009. “Things are going good,” said Council member Michael Corrigan of the renovations taking place on the artists’ market. “We’re in the permitting process.” Though it’s still a tentative date, things are looking great as far as Corrigan is concerned. “Our partners are on board and the area is almost finished being renovated,” said Corrigan.There is a bigger picture, though. RAM will be part of the up-and-coming Northbank Riverwalk’s Artists’ Square, which will be completed at the end of November. Corrigan added that the Square’s grand opening would be complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor John Peyton and would take place along the Northbank Riverwalk. Plans are that when that opening takes place plans will be more set in stone for RAM to open. “We’re shooting for March 2009,” said Corrigan. “It’s a very complex agreement on local, state and national levels.” The complexity lies with the permits. On a normal basis, a permit is given to an entity for a single event. According to Lisa Rinaman, policy director in the mayor’s office, in this case the permits are for local non-profit Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) so it can host RAM since the land is city-owned. “But this will take place every Saturday hopefully starting in March,” said Rinaman. “We’re working on getting a yearly renewal for this permit.” According to Rinaman, RAP has formed a separate committee designated with overseeing RAM. But there are bigger things in store for the Square than simply playing host to a weekly market of hand-made crafts. “The Artists’ Market would be an active user group of the land,” said Rinaman of the weekly event. “There is also room for musicians and performing artists.” At least, that’s the goal of the project. RAM was modeled after the highly successful Portland Saturday Artists Market in Portland, Ore. and will feature only hand-made artwork by local artists in a covered area larger than the length of a football field. Its predecessor brings around 700,000 people to Portland per year. mkroan@baileypub.com 356-2466
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